Traffic stop yields nearly four pounds of suspected marijuana

A pair of Ohio men found themselves in the Putnam County Jail Thursday morning when four pounds of suspected marijuana was located in the trunk of their car.

Courtesy Indiana State Police

CLOVERDALE ­— A pair of Ohio men were arrested on felony charges Thursday morning when four pounds of suspected marijuana was found in the trunk of the car in which they were traveling.

Jessie Gaines, 20, and Keenana Hutchinson, 19, both of Middletown, Ohio, were booked in the Putnam County Jail, each facing a preliminary charge of Level 6 felony dealing in marijuana.

At 9:58 a.m., an Indiana State Police commercial vehicle enforcement trooper stopped a 2004 Audi passenger car on eastbound Interstate 70 near the 41-mile marker for following too closely.

During a conversation with the occupants, circumstances arose that led to a probable cause search of the vehicle.

In the trunk, officers from ISP and the Putnam Count Sheriff’s Department located approximately four pounds of suspected Marijuana.

The duo was reportedly traveling from Terre Haute to Middletown.

The estimated street value of the suspected Marijuana is $12,000 to $16,000.